ARIEL — The annual free Mount St. Helens Kids’ Fishing Derby is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Merwin Reservoir.
Approximately 1,500 trout will be in a netted-off section of the reservoir at Merwin Park. Loaner rods will be available along with worms for bait and volunteer mentors.
Other activities will include a parade, story-telling inside a 40-foot inflatable salmon, face painting, boat safety and fish printing on T-shirts.
No advance registration is required. Free lunch also is provided.
For more information, call 360-449-7800.
On June 24, the annual Kids’ Fishing Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Goose Lake along Gifford Pinchot National Forest road No. 60.
The event is for youth age 14 and younger. Anglers are encouraged to bring their own gear and tackle, although some loaner rods, tackle and free bait will be available.
Volunteers will mentor the young fishermen, including how to clean trout.
Parking at Goose Lake is very limited, so carpooling is advised.
For more information, call Stephanie Caballero at 509-395-3419.
The fishing events are being provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
